Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1887-01-19


egg omelette. During the morning hours
there was much speculation as to whether
the Governor would further reprieve. and
the question was not finally settled until
some time after noon, when Mr.. Crump,
who had been to see the Governor, returned
to the Jail and announced that the execu-
tive power would not be interposed. Rev.
DR.. VIM. E. Hatcher came to the jail about
II o'clock, and remained with the prisoner
to the last, administering religious consola-
ton and praying with the prisoner. At
noon suit of new black clothes was
brought to the Jail, and the prisoner donned
Il V.n.
THE DEATH PROCESSION.
At two minutes to one the death process
sion was formed, consisting of Sergeant
Smith, two deputies, Rev. DR.. Hatcher and
the prisoner, the latter having his hands
tied in front, and his body from neck to
ankles enveloped in a lady's old-fashioned
waterproof cloak. From the cell the march
progressed along the corridor and down two
flights of stairs to the lower court OF the
Jail, and then into the yard fronting the
cells of the white prisoners, forty policemen
being on duty to keep back the crowd. The
prisoner, though thin and pale, moved with
steady steps to the scaffold, which he as
cended in the same quiet manner and stood
on the trap. Sergeant Smith then read
the death warrant or copy of the Judgment
of the court, which the prisoner listened to
with bowed head and apparently close at
tention.
THE DOOMED MAN HAS NOTHING TO SAY.
When the sergeant had concluded he
asked the doomed man if he had anything
to say, and Cluverius replied: "No, sir,
nothing at ALL" his voice being scarcely
audible. Dr. Hatcher then knelt and of
fered feeling and fervent prayer, and
when he had finished he turned to the pris-
oner. who said few words in low tone,
and DR.. Hatcher, turning to the crowd in
the yard said: 81 am requested by the pris-
oner to utter one word for him, and that is
that in this moment of death he carries to
the grave no feeling of iil-will towards any
man on earth" DR.. Hatcher then left the
scaffold. Raising both hands as he went
out, he said the prisoner had asserted bis
innocence to- the last just before leaving the
cell.
THE TRAP SPRUNG.
When DR.. Hatcher had gone, Deputy
Sergeant Allen tied the prisoners knees
tightly together, put the rope around his
neck, and adjusted the black cap and hood.
Everything being ready, Sergeant Smith
gave the signal, and at eight minutes after
one o'clock the trap was sprung. A sud
den swish, clang of the falling trapdoor, and
the next instant the body of Cluverius was
at the end Of the rope, over ten feet below
where he had been standing. The rope,
which was made of parti-colored silk,
oh Cd ho of ho
hanged man nearly touched the brick pave
menL beneath. A minute of quiet, and
then there was considerable struggling,
lasting several minutes, together with a
heavy stertorous breathing, indicating that
death was being produced by strangulation.
After sixteen minutes the physicians pro-
nounced the body dead, aud twenty min
utes after the trap was sprung the body was
taken down and placed in plain wooden
coffin, and turned over to the undertaken to
be prepared for burial at his former home
in King and Queen county.
INTEREST IN THE CASE.
This case, the most remarkable one that
ever occurred in the criminal history of this
State, has attracted widespread attention.
Up to within few hours of the execution
there was lingering belief in the mind
of the public that the Governor might in
terfere. The Governor, however, had pref
ty we'll determined late last night that no
new evidence had been submitted to him
which justified further interference on his
part with the sentence of the court in the
case.
CLUvERIUs's LAST HOURS.
Cluverius set up in his cell until six
O clock this morning. Until two O'Clock
he conversed with Capt. Frank Cunning
ham, noted singer of sacred songs, ard
Mr.. Beverly Crump, enc of his counsel.
At that hour he threw himself, dressed,
upon the cot in his cell and slumbered I'M
til nine O'Clock, when he was aroused by
one of the prison officers. He ate break
fast with Sergeant Smith. From that time
until he was called to mount the scaffold
his time was spent in writing some farewell
letters, and with Rev. DIR. Hatcher, his
spiritual adviser.
HIS PLUCK AND CAIMNEss.
The mans pluck and phenomenal calm
ness were the subject of comment OF the
hundreds of men who were gathered within
the prison walls and observed it. Through
all the twenty months Cluverius has been
incarcerated he has shown no disposition
to partake of intoxicating liquors until late
last night. Then Deputy Sergeant Macon
asked if he would not take little whisky
The doomed man replied, 81 believe that |
WILL" and, drink being handed him, be
swallowed it and smacked his liis.
HE PROTESTS HIS INNOCENCE.
Shortly after ten O'Clock this morning
Capt Cunningham, at the prisoners re-
quest, sang for him the touching hymn,
Glow Firm Foundation AS the last
words of the song died away Capt. Gun
bingham turned to the prisoner aud asked
"Do you still say that you are innocent?'
His reply was, 81 am Innocent ''Do you
believe in Our Lord Jesus Christ, and, be.
lieving in Him, assert that you are innocent,
knowing that you are to answer before
God?" asked the visitor. yes" replied
Cluverius. 81 can say that | am innocent"
After receiving that assurance and a last
farewell the singer left the man.
Rev. Dr.. Hatcher, who has been the
spiritual adviser of the convicted murder
er, then went into his cell, where he re
NAMED until five minutes 20 one O'Clock,
when Sergeant Smith entered the con-
demned mans cell and announced that
time was up. Cluverius showed no signs OF
emotion, and simply remarked: II am
ready to go with YOU
THE WALK TO THE sCAFFOLD.
After dressing in a suit of black procured
by his brother from clothing establish
ment here, the prisoner, with his arms
bound and a dark cloak thrown ever him,
accompanied by his spiritual adviser,
walked to the scaffold.
THE sCAFFoLD ORNAMENTATION.
This was erected in the long and narrow
yard Of the prison, surrounded by walls So
high that none. on the east side, except
those who had secured the most elevated
positions, could overlook. Some effort at
had been made in the corr
struction of the horrible engine of destruc-
ton The cross beam was of dressed black
walnut, slightly arched. The rope was
composed of red, white and blue silk
strands, and was not in keeping with the
place and Circumstances. Cluverius wake ed
out of bis cell, which has been his only